The export performance of the mining sector continues to be an important indicator in assessing the strength of the natural resource-based economy in Indonesia. Each mining commodity has a different contribution to the total export value, depending on global demand, resource availability, and price dynamics on the international market. This difference reflects how the structure of Indonesia’s mining exports is still heavily influenced by certain superior commodities.
Through BPS 2025 data, it can be seen that the distribution of the export value of mining products shows quite significant inequality between commodities. Some commodities recorded a very dominant contribution, while others only contributed a small portion to total exports. This condition is an important illustration for industry players and policy makers in developing diversification strategies and increasing the added value of the mining sector in the future.
Contribution of Non-Oil and Gas Mining Commodities to Indonesian Exports
Coal
Coal will be the commodity with the largest export value throughout 2025, reaching US$24.48 billion or around 68.85% of total mining exports. This dominance confirms that coal is still the backbone of Indonesia’s mining sector exports, driven by high global demand as the main energy source.
In terms of volume, coal also dominates with a net export weight of around 390,925 tonnes, far exceeding other mining commodities. This shows that apart from having high value, coal is also traded on a large scale. The combination of massive volume and dominant export value makes coal the most influential commodity in Indonesia’s mining export structure.
Lignite
Lignite is in second place with an export value of US$5.73 billion or around 16.11% of the total. As part of a group of coal with different qualities, lignite still has market demand, especially for certain energy needs in various countries.
If we look at the volume, lignite also recorded a fairly large net export weight, namely around 133,073 tons. Even though the volume is high, the export value is still below that of coal, indicating that lignite has a relatively lower price per unit than coal.
Copper Ore
Copper ore recorded an export value of US$4.89 billion or around 13.75% of the total. Even though its contribution is small, this commodity has a strategic role because it is an important raw material in the manufacturing, electronics and renewable energy industries.
In terms of volume, the net weight of copper ore exports is relatively much smaller than energy commodities, namely around 1,460 tons. This shows that copper has a higher economic value per unit weight, so that even though the volume is low, it still contributes significant value.
Gravel
Gravel has an export value of US$64.9 million or around 0.18% of the total. This commodity is generally used in the construction and infrastructure sectors, so its contribution to exports tends to be limited.
However, in terms of volume, gravel recorded a net export weight of around 9,204 tons. The large volume which is not comparable to the export value shows that this commodity has a relatively low economic value per unit, so it is mostly used for domestic needs.
Other Commodities
Other categories contributed an export value of around US$190.8 million or 0.54% of the total. This group reflects various types of mining commodities that have not yet become a mainstay in Indonesia’s international trade.
In terms of volume, other commodities have varying net export weights, with a total of around 4,417 tons. Even though its contribution is small, this group still shows the potential for export diversification which can be developed through increasing added value in the future.
Indonesia Energy & Engineering Series Balikpapan 2026: Driving the Transformation of the Modern Mining Industry
The export performance of mining products, which is still dominated by coal, shows that the Indonesian mining industry has a strategic role in supporting the national economy. However, behind this dominance, there are big challenges related to commodity diversification, increasing added value, and efficiency in resource management. Therefore, industrial transformation through technological innovation, operational optimization, and strengthening supply chains are important steps to create a more adaptive and sustainable mining sector in the future.
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Reference
Source: www.mining-indonesia.com
